Message Board Archives

Two top Canadian diplomats expressed shock at the former People’s Partnership (PP) Government’s failure to take steps to upgrade the operations of local prisons as agreed in an MOU between TT and Canada, said Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi yesterday.

He was at the time addressing the Diego Martin West People’s National Movement (PNM) Constituency annual general meeting at the Point Cumana Community Centre in Carenage.

Al-Rawi named current High Commissioner Carla Hogan and her predecessor Gerard Latulippe.

He said under the MOU many prison officers went to Canada for training in best practice.

He said this TT-Canada link was the reason the Prison Officers Association chose the local Canadian High Commission as the venue of their recent protests and call for refugee status.

“The protection and promotion of human rights is a key priority for the Government of Canada and we are working with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and other international partners to tackle crime, improve security and protect human rights across the region.”

Last week Thursday more than 50 members of the Prison Officers Association and their relatives delivered a letter requesting asylum from the Canadian government in light of increasing security concerns.

Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon expressed concern over the action and is expected to meet with the Association tomorrow.